Rail and wheel lubricating mechanism



May 21, 1940.

R. A. BIRMINGHAM RAIL AND WHEEL LUBRICA'IING MECHANISM Filed May 29, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l z'rmz'nyham y 1940- R. A. BIRMINGHAM 2,201,133

RAIL AND WHEEL LUBRICATING MECHANISM Filed May 29, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 21, 1940 OFFICE will AND WHEEL LUBRIOATING MECHANISM Lexington, "a.

Application May 29, 1939, Serial No. 276,474

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a rail and wheel lubricating mechanism, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a mechanism of this kind which is operated by the wheels of a passing train and in a manner whereby the lubricant is properly delivered to both of the rails of the trackway.

The invention also has for an object to provide a mechanism of this kind comprising a container or casing for an initial supply of lubricant and wherein such container or casing is in operative communication with a greasing member disposed along either or both of the rails of a trackway, together with means operated by the wheels of a passing train for forcing the lubricant within the container or casing out through the greasing member or members.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved rail and wheel lubricating mechanism whereby certain important advantages are attained. and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly elevation illustrating a lubricating mechanism constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in applied position;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detailed view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating certain details of construction as herein employed;

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2 Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a form of hand crank that can be used for retracting the pressure head.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, R denotes the usual rails of a trackway for rolling stock and disposed along the inner sides of the rails R closely adjacent to the Webs l thereof but underlying the heads 2 are the greasing members M. Each of these members M, as herein disclosed, is maintained in applied position by the brackets 3 carried by the opposite end portions of the member M and which brackets are bolted, as at 4, or otherwise effectively anchored to the ties T upon which the rails R. are mounted. Each of the members M constitutes an elongated container of predetermined capacity and en- -5 tirely closed except for the series of discharge openings 5 disposed through the outer side Walls 5 of the member M and spaced in a direction lengthwise thereof.

The bottom wall 1 of each of the members M, -10 as herein disclosed, is disposed transversely on an, upward and outward incline and in communication with the member M through the bottom wall 1 thereof at substantially its longitudinal center is a downwardly and outwardly inclined 1,5 induction sleeve 8. Suitably coupled to this sleeve 8 and in communication therewith is an end portion of a conduit 9 preferably a flexible hose. This conduit or hose 9 is of predetermined length and has its opposite or outer end portion coupled to and in communication with an end portion of one of the lateral arms ll! of a T-coupling C. The intermediate or shank arm 1 l of the coupling C is connected to the outer end portion of an arcuate discharge pipe l2 coupled, as at I4, to the apex portion of a conoidal cap l5. This cap 15, as herein disclosed, slips upon the lower or bottom end portion of an elongated container or casing i6 and is securely held thereto by the screws I! or otherwise as may be preferred. The casing or container I6 is of desired dimensions and capacity and held within the lower end portion thereof immediately adjacent to the ap plied cap i5 is a spider 18. In the present embodiment of the invention the spider I8 is main- ,3 tained in applied position by the screws l1 hereinbefore referred to although it is believed to be obvious that other means may be used.

Extending axially of the casing or container "5 is a threaded shank I9, the lower or inserted end portion of which is continued by a stem 20 of a diameter less than the diameter of the shank 19. The outer portion of this stem 20 is rotatably received within the central hub or bearing 2| of the spider l8. It is to be particularly noted, however, that the inner end of the shank I9 proper is spaced from the spider l8 to entirely receive the piston or driving head 22. This head 22 threads upon the shank 19 but as the periphery r of the stem 20 is smooth it will be at once understood that when the head or piston 22 is entirely upon the stem 26 the same will be free of driving connection with the shank E9. The purpose of this is to prevent pressure by the head or piston 22 upon the spider l8 with, of course, possible resultant injury to the mechanism.

In practice the casing or container i6 is vertically disposed to one side of the trackway, it being required of course that in making an installation suitable excavation must be made in the road bed.

Mounted. upon the. upper end of..the. casing or container 16 is a boxing or housing 23 the top of which is open and having associated therewith a cover 24 hinged, as at '25, to a side wall of the boxing. This boxing "t has its bottom marginal portion defined by the depending flange 26'which snugly engages around the upper end'portion'of the casing or container l5 and is. locked thereto by the screws 21 or otherwiseas may --be. pre ferred.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the bottom wall 28 of the boxing 23' has direct contact from above with the upper endof. the casing or container lSand said bottom wall 28 ati itsa'xial center is provided with an opening 29 through which is snugly and rotatably insertd an elongated stem Bil extending axially'irom the upper end of the shank l9 and of a diameter less -than the diameter of the shank "I 9. "This reduction in "diameter results in a shoulder 3! at the top ofthe shank l9 proper and which is conta'cted by'the bottom wallZB of theboxing 23.

This upper stem 30 is slidably disposed thru an elongated sleeve 32 and this stem 3i! is coupied to the sleeve32 by a pin 33 extending transversely "therethru with the extremities thereof received within the diametrically opposed slots 34 provided in the sleeve 32 and extending length- .wisethereof. "By' this-means the s1eeve32 and the. stem" 30 are'keyed for rotation one with the other but. allowing independent endwise movement of'the "stem 30 lengthwise through: the sleeve 32.

The upper. portion of the sleeve 32 and the stern .39 are. rotatably disposedthrough the central I bearing orihub'fi lv of the spider 35. This spider 35 intersects "the ,upperportion of the boxing 723 .a'ndlis heldinplace. by .the screws 35hr otherwise .asImay' be preferred. Threading upon the top portion ofi'the sleeve32 and contacting with the. hearing. or .hub. 34. from above. is a retaining nutffil. "This nut"?! rotates with the 'sleeve 32 and provides means to limit 'the'downwardmove- .ment' bf-theQsleevetZ through the hearing or hub' 34.

Thelower end portion of the sleeve 32 is formed to provide an outstanding surrounding cup-lik flange38.

"Interposed'between this flange 38 and the bottorn'wall 2 8"bf the boxing 23' isan expansible member '39,-herein'dis'closed' as a coil spring,

encirclingdhestem- This spring 39 serves *to constantly-urge the shankla toward the limit of-its upward movement which maybe deterrninedby'contact of the shoulder- M at the top .of thetshank d9 =with: the bottorn wall 28sof. the

boxing- 2 3 ,a or. by contact...of.. the: bevelede gear it t with the-shearing or. hub-.3 3 of .thezspider from below. Thisz'beveled. gear-= is mounted. upon the. sleeve .82 -and ..locked.thereto for rotation therewith-bye set screw ll .or the like. This :beveled. gear lilis in mesh with a beveled gear 52 ikeyed, .as. at 43, within theboxinglt .to the inserted, end..p.ortion of a shaft. This shaft M is substantially at right angles to the stem 31]."This shaft 34 is of desiredlength and extends laterally'froni'the boxing" .23 toward the trackway 'thru" a: protecting" pipe 45. 'One end p'orti'on'of this "pipe lfi'as herein "disclosed; threads within an outstanding annular flange 46 carried by the boxing 23 and into a similar flange 4'! carried by a side wall 68 of a housing H. This housing H is positioned closely adjacent to and below a rail R of the trackway and is held in position by a bracket 49 secured to adjacent ties '1 or otherwise as maybe preferred.

TheshaftM extends within the housing H thru the side wall it and fixed to the end portion of the shaft 4 2 Within the housing H is a ratchet wheel '58. This wheel 58 is adapted to be engaged by a spring pressed pawl carried by a vertically disposed plunger 5i extending upwardly through theitop closing plate 512 for the housing H. The lower end portion of the plunger -5l is snuglyengaged within a guide pocket 53 within the bottom portion of the housing H whereby the plunger 5! is supported for up and down movement in a vertical direction. The

plunger M has its upper extremity terminating in close proximity. to the base of the adjacent rail. E of the trackway and held to saidupper end portion of the plunger ill by the set screw 54 orthe like is the lower portion of an arm 55 dependingfroin the central portion of an operating since 55. This-shoe E3 is in close contact with the inner side face of the head 2 of the rail R and is normally held extended thereabove by an .expansible. member 5'? of desired tension,

herein disclosed as a coil spring, surrounding the;

socket 55), as herein disclosed, is closed by a screw cap' {53 through whichfthe plungerti is freely directed.

In communication Withthe casing or container It at'the top thereof and at a point below the pressure head or piston 22 when in. its fully raised orv retracted position is a filling spout 6i. This spout. 55 extends upwardly aldesired distance and is adapted to be normally closed by a. conventional screw capfiZ or .the. like.

Thestern 38 above thesleeve 32 is squared in cross section, as at 63, so that a handcrank E4 or kindred tool may be engaged therewith to retract. the... pressure head. or piston 22. .Should the pressure head. orpiston v22 be upon the lower stem. 2 ,El,.before.- said head orpisto-n canbe re- .Ithe. operating membeffill and, depress the same with a resultant intermittent rotation of'the shaft M, gears 42 and til! and or course the shank l9; "The'direction of rotation of these parts is such as to cause thethead or piston 22' to intermittentlytravef downwardly and thereby forcing the lubricanuwhich preferably 'oil; within the casing or "container i 5 "to" the greasing members -M"and "out" through the "openings 5. uponthe "flange-sol thewheels travelling 'alongthe memhers M"whereby 'saidflangesare 'effectivelylubricated and' with -consequent' eiie'ctive lubrication of theh'eads of the'r'ails,

'-Itis,"of'course';required that the pressure head or piston H be" heldagainstuotation and the present embodiment of my invention wherein the casing or container HE is circular in cross section, the head or piston 22 in its peripheral portion is provided with a groove or keyway 65 coacting with a key E1 extending along the inner face of the casing or container it.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a rail and Wheel lubricating mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A rail and wheel lubricator comprising a greasing member, means for securing said member along one side of a rail, a supply casing in communication with the greasing member, a threaded shank within the casing, means for supporting said shank for rotary movement and for limited endwise movement, means for normally maintaining the shank at the limit of its movement in one direction, a pressure head within the casing and threaded upon the shank, said shank having. a portion upon which the pressure head freely engages with said head is at the limit of its pressure movement, means intermittently operated by the wheels of a passing train for rotating the threaded shank to cause the head to impose pressure upon the lubricant supply within the casing, retrograde rotation of the shank retracting the head, endwise movement of the shank in one direction bringing the shank into threaded engagement with the head when said head is free on the shank.

2. A rail and wheel lubricator comprising a greasing member to be positioned against one side of a rail, a supply casing, a delivery line leading from the supply casing to the member, a pressure head within the casing, a rotatable shank extending within the casing and upon which the pressure head threads, said shank being disposed from the discharge of the casing, the portion of the shank adjacent to the discharge of the casing being unthreaded and upon which the head is received when at the limit of its movement toward the discharge, a sleeve operatively engaged with the opposite end portion of the shank for rotation therewith but permitting the shank and sleeve to have relative lengthwise movement, means for normally maintaining the shank at the limit of its movement away from the discharge, and train operated means for intermittently rotating the sleeve and shank to cause the head to move toward the discharge.

3. A rail and Wheel lubricator comprising a greasing member, means for securing said member along one side of a rail, a supply casing in communication with the greasing member, a threaded shank within the casing, means for supporting said shank for rotary movement and for limited endwise movement, means for normally maintaining the shank at the limit of its movement in one direction, a pressure head within the casing and threaded upon the shank, said shank having a portion upon which the pressure head freely engages when said head is at the limit" of its pressure movement, means intermittently operated by the wheels of a passing train for rotating the threaded shank to cause the head to impose pressure upon the lubricant supply within the casing, retrograde rotation of the shank retracting the head, endwise movement of the shank in one direction bringing the shank into threaded engagement with the head when said head is free on the shank, and a filling spout in communication with the casing at a point in advance of the head when the head is substantially fully retracted.

4. A rail and wheel lubricator comprising an elongated casing to be vertically positioned adjacent to a trackway, greasing members, means for securing said members along the inner faces of the rails of the trackway, the lower portion of the casing having a discharge delivering to both of the members, a rotatable shank disposed axially of the casing, a pressure head within the casing and threading upon the shank, a boxing mounted upon the upper end of the casing and closing said end, said shank having a part extending Within said boxing, a sleeve surrounding the portion of the shank within the boxing, means for connecting the sleeve and said portion of the shank for unitary rotation but permitting the same to have limited independent lengthwise movement, means for normally maintaining the shank at the limit of its independent endwise movement away from the discharge of the casing, a member, means for supporting the member adjacent to the rail of the trackway to be intermittently depressed by wheels of rolling stock passing thereover, and an operative connection between said member and the portion of the shank within the boxing to intermittently rotate the shank as the member is intermittently depressed.

RAYMOND A. BIRMINGHAM. 

